A metropolis with an upper and a lower town had on its northern side a basin with vertical walls, inlet and outlet channels which has been identified as a tidal dockyard. This statement is correct in the context of which archaeological site?

1. A

   Rakhigarhi

2. B

   Dholavira

3. C

   Kalibangan

4. D

   Lothal

Appeared in: UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Explanation

• The question describes a site with a tidal dockyard, which is the most defining feature of Lothal.
• Lothal's dockyard was a large, rectangular basin made of baked bricks, complete with inlet and outlet channels to manage water levels with the tides.
• This advanced maritime infrastructure established Lothal as a crucial center for overseas trade during the Indus Valley Civilization.
• The presence of an upper town (acropolis) and a lower town is also a characteristic feature of Harappan cities, including Lothal.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: Rakhigarhi, while being one of the largest Harappan sites, is not known for a tidal dockyard. Its significance lies in its size and the insights it provides into the Harappan urban settlement.
• Option B: Dholavira is famous for its unique and highly sophisticated water management system, including large reservoirs and step-wells, and its distinct tripartite city plan, not a tidal dockyard for maritime trade.
• Option C: Kalibangan is known for providing the earliest evidence of a ploughed agricultural field and a series of 'fire altars', suggesting unique ritualistic practices. It lacks any evidence of a dockyard.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Key Features of Indus Valley Civilization Sites as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• While this is a history question, the reasoning process is relevant for nursing. It requires matching specific evidence (a 'tidal dockyard') to a known condition or location (Lothal), similar to how a nurse matches specific symptoms to a diagnosis.
• This type of question tests analytical skills and the ability to recall and apply specific factual knowledge, a crucial competency in evidence-based practice.
• What if the question mentioned 'elaborate water reservoirs' instead of a 'tidal dockyard'? The answer would then change to Dholavira, highlighting the importance of paying close attention to the specific details provided in a scenario.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key descriptive phrase in the question stem. In this case, it is 'tidal dockyard'.
• Next, scan the options provided, which are all well-known Indus Valley Civilization sites.
• Recall or deduce the primary archaeological feature associated with each site.
• Match the key phrase from the question ('tidal dockyard') with the site most famous for that feature.
• Lothal is uniquely identified by its dockyard, making it the correct answer. The other sites are famous for different discoveries (Rakhigarhi for size, Dholavira for water management, Kalibangan for ploughed fields).

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Key Features of Indus Valley Civilization Sites
• Stem keywords: metropolis, upper and lower town, tidal dockyard, archaeological site
• Lead-in keywords: This statement is correct in the context of which

Question ID

QSV7FgMKMBFH4JcMyiheys

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